I was trying to think of players who have almost exclusively played centre successfully over a number of seasons (let's say 7+ years).
With plenty of players shifting positions, and particularly those centres that slow down with their lateral movement and maybe bulk up then move to the forwards, who have been the stayers in this position?
Jenko has managed to stay on the 3/4 line, ET did it, as did Justin Hodges.
Who else can you think of that has lasted the distance as a centre?
Replies
Mick Cronin
Steve Rogers
Reg Gasnier
Steve Renouf
Steve Ella
Mal Meninga
Andrew Ettingshausen
A few for a start
ET was a bit before my time, but I though he started as a winger and spent some time at fullback?
Ella played at 5/8 at the start of his career.
Did Mal stay in the centres his whole playing career? I have a vague memory that he shifted into the forwards towards the end. I may be wrong
You are correct Mr Perpetual, I not sure about forwards but he actually played wing for Queensland when played rep, and also for Australia as there were better centres at that time than him. Gene Miles for 1 and he eventually moved into the forwards. Queensland even played Chris Close at centre before Mal until they moved him to the front row.
Mick Cronin, Steve Ella, Steve Rogers, Mal Meninga, Steve Renouf, Ryan Girdler, Mark Gasnier, Nigel Vagana, Paul Bowmen, Reg Gasnier, Josh Morris, Will Chambers, just to name a quick few off the top of my head.
How good was Steve Rogers!
Pretty Dam good
Clearly you're forgetting our own immortal Ryan Morgan??
Jokes aside, Gasnier, Cooper, Lyon, Matai, Croker, are the first that come to mind.
Feels like Tahu was the last great centre we had at Parra. I really wish he didn't leave us to go to union. Such a shame.
Lyon spent time at 5/8 throughout his career, even playing there for NSW.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next